Conlaw.net

Constitutional Law Syllabus

Fall 2001

Professor Akhil Reed Amar

I. SNEAK PREVIEWS: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN MICROCOSM

 

Week 1

A. Modern Doctrine.

Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)


Weeks 2-3

B. The Document Itself.

BLBA xli-lvi; The Articles of Confederation (1781)

C. Interpretive Frameworks.

Amar, "Foreword: The Document and the Doctrine;" J. ELY, DEMOCRACY AND DISTRUST

D. A Classic Case Study.

BLBA xxix-xxxiv, 1-70

II. CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE

A. Separation of Powers: Horizontal Checks and Balances

 

Weeks 4-5

1. The Judicial Power

a. Judicial Review. BLBA 71-103
b. Restrictions on Judicial Review
i. Political Questions, Standing, Mootness, and Justiciability. BLBA 732-35; Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486 (1969)
ii. Congressional Power to Restrict Federal Jurisdiction. BLBA 730-32
iii. Congressional Power to Define Constitutional Rights. BLBA 483-511, 535-51

 

Weeks 6-7

2. The Executive Power

a. The (Non)Prosecution and Pardon Powers. BLBA 621-45
b. The Appointment Power. BLBA 645-80
c. The Veto Power. BLBA 680-704
d. The Power of the Sword. BLBA 214-31, 704-24; Lincoln, First
Inaugural Address (March 4, 1861); Lincoln, Special Session Message (July 4, 1861); Lincoln, The Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863)
e. Presidential Privileges and Immunities. BLBA 724-28
f. Presidential Selection. BLBA 728-30; Bush v. Gore, 121 S.Ct. 525 (2000); Amar & Amar, "Is the Presidential Succession Law Constitutional?"

 

Week 8

B. Federalism: Vertical Checks and Balances

1. Limiting Congressional Power. BLBA 463-83, 511-35, 551-613; United States v. Morrison, 120 S.Ct. 1740 (2000)
2. Limiting Congress. BLBA 613-14; website materials on U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton, www.conlaw.net

III. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

 

Week 9

A. The Bill of Rights in General.

BLBA 401-13; A. AMAR, THE BILL OF RIGHTS: CREATION AND RECONSTRUCTION


Week 10

B. Property

1. Takings Clause, Contracts Clause, Economic Rights. BLBA 104-17, 314- 51, 415-63
2. Slavery. BLBA 168-214
3. Freedom from Slavery. BLBA 351-55

Weeks 11-13

C. Equality

1. Voting Equality. B&L 3d edition, 1053-1109
2. Race Equality. BLBA 241-96, 737-68, 801-67, 876-84, 898-983
3. Sex Equality. BLBA 985-1064, 1104-19

 

Week 14

D. Roe Revisited: Privacy and Other Unenumerated Rights.

BLBA 1131-1297